Paula Deen, who's been dubbed the Queen of Southern Cuisine, is known for her decadent Southern dishes and her liberal use of butter without pause to any concerns about health. "I really don't worry about it," she told a reporter in one interview. Yet with increasing concern over America's obesity epidemic, her push for exceedingly rich foods has faced more than a few tough questions.

"You know, we don't eat this [stuff] every day," she said, defending herself to an unconvinced Barbara Walters in 2009. Her mantra of licking the bacon grease spoon — in moderation, of course! — has faltered. Even the Cooking Channel's admitting to that, with the debut of Not My Mama's Meals, with a lighter, healthier bent on Paula Deen dishes.

And so it comes full circle. The expected announcement is bleak, yet clear: nobody, even a personality with rock-star status like Paula Deen, is immune to health consequences. It's time to face the reality that we can't routinely succumb to indulgences, even if they're "in moderation." With almond milk and quinoa flying off shelves, we're finally starting to realize that you can't have red velvet cake every day. Maybe once a week — if you eat a bit of kale on the side, too.

I'm sad for Paula, but not all that surprised. Maybe she should look into a healthier diet to treat her diabetes instead of drugs? There's lots of interesting information available at this noncommercial, science based site: nutritionfacts.org. To quote the good doctor: "It is too bad Paula Deen missed this opportunity" to tell her fans "that type 2 diabetes can be prevented, managed, treated, and even cured". Read more at http://nutritionfacts.org/blog/2012/01/18/paula-deen-diabetes-drug-spokesperson/

Of course this is sad, but I don't think anyone was surprised. But if people were/are following you cuisine advice blindly without thinking of the obvious consequences, we have a bigger problem on our hands. I think one of the biggest contributors to America's obesity epidemic is ignorance.

I'm sure that the new medication for her self-inflicted condition will help. And that of others that follow her lead when "cooking"? Probably not so much. At the very least, it will help Paula and the drug company that has her as the new spokesperson. Millions to be made, ya'll!

What we can learn here is...NOT TO WATCH HER BULLSHIT CABLE SHOW AND FEED HER MONEY MACHINE. Do I really need to add more? If your answer is "Yes", I have an unfrozen lake in Duluth that is up for sale. Great price. And it comes with a year's supply of butter.

ya know ... i don't think the bacon grease and sticks of butter gave her diabetes ... i'm sure it was more likely the bag of sugar she pours into everything, or the fact she uses doughnuts instead of bread on burgers.